New Pentax astro-photography video series on YouTube

H. Sapiens · 12-05-2019, 06:39 AM

Bloody ... This is both informative and inpirational. Thumps up to the guys down under. I haven't heard of some of these features before, but then I'm on a K3II

**James also** · 12-05-2019, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by Craigbob

Nikon has the D810A as well and that also has the same kind of Filter mod as the Canon A cameras do. Since the D810 uses the same Sensor as the K-1 modding a K-1 might be a more affordable way to go. The D810A goes for around $3800 for the body. At that price I can get a cooled FF astro camera that will be better.

---------- Post added 11-22-19 at 06:03 PM ----------

You can use it for normal shooting, but you'd have to have a custom white balance set for it. The older Canon 20DA and 60DA has the ability to set a custom white balance for terrestrial photography. I don't see why the Canon EOS RA wouldn't nor the Nikon D810A.

Hell; I'm half tempted to pick up a used K-1 and have the modification done by Spencers including a cooling system and I'm still less than the EOS RA or D810A and I'd have Astrotracer to boot!

I feel my credit card starting to feel warm.

Maybe get the cooling system on the credit card.

Thank you for sharing the video I didn't exactly get the same results in Bulb mode something to read up on tomorrow.

---------- Post added 12-06-2019 at 02:11 AM ----------

Originally posted by Kevin B123

The presenter is wearing a Pentax Forums tee shirt, must be a member here?

I would hope so C R Kennedy the Producers are the Australian distributors of Pentax.

**TedH42** · 12-05-2019, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by dlh

I found this discussion useful, as well:
PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / Beautiful Photo-life | RICOH IMAGING

The capabilities of Pentax cameras themselves are really quite good for astrophotography, as outlined in this discussion.

What would really improve the usability of Pentax cameras for astro would be some software: BackyardPentax (doesn't actually exist at this time). This would be comparable to BackyardEOS, which fully controls most Canon cameras in the same way that dedicated astrocameras are controlled by fullscale astroimaging software, such as Maxim DL.

To see what BackyardEOS does for Canon cameras, see:

BackyardEOS - O'Telescope

If only Pentax cameras had such software, astro imaging using Pentax wouldn't be so manual. Intervalometers only give so much automation.

My KP and K-1ii take nice, high-quality astro images, but Canon shooters get more done faster and easier than I can.

D FA 24 F2 · 12-06-2019, 09:47 AM - **1 Like**

Ricoh announced the re-production of several telescope products a few hours ago. It is reasonable to believe that the telescope product line will be restarted and is perfectly compatible with the current 135 and 645 series DLSR

**Craigbob** · 12-06-2019, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by D FA 24 F2

Ricoh announced the re-production of several telescope products a few hours ago. It is reasonable to believe that the telescope product line will be restarted and is perfectly compatible with the current 135 and 645 series DLSR

Do you have a link to this news?

Mistral75 · 12-06-2019, 10:14 AM

^ I found this press release from today: Ricoh Imaging are re-releasing two eyepieces for astronomical telescopes, smc Pentax XW30-R and smc Pentax XW40-R, as replacement for the discontinued smc Pentax XW30 and smc Pentax XW40. Product specifications are the same as those of the discontinued equipment.

High-performance eyepiece "smc PENTAX XW" series two models re-released | RICOH IMAGING

SirTomster · 12-06-2019, 10:36 AM

I have not delved into deep sky astro (yet) but my understanding is we just need a T mount adapter for our camera and then we can attach our camera to a telescope to take images?

No need for eyepieces. Just the T mount adapter which you can buy from Pentax or others.

So you can do it today, if you have a telescope and the adapter?

**Craigbob** · 12-06-2019, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by SirTomster

I have not delved into deep sky astro (yet) but my understanding is we just need a T mount adapter for our camera and then we can attach our camera to a telescope to take images?

No need for eyepieces. Just the T mount adapter which you can buy from Pentax or others.

So you can do it today, if you have a telescope and the adapter?

That's correct. A T-adapter (and either a 1.25 or 2" adapter tube and a camera and you can be imaging through a telescope. I do it frequently.

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12-05-2019, 06:39 AM	#46
H. Sapiens Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 328	Bloody ... This is both informative and inpirational. Thumps up to the guys down under. I haven't heard of some of these features before, but then I'm on a K3II

12-05-2019, 07:54 AM	#47
James also Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 332	Originally posted by Craigbob Nikon has the D810A as well and that also has the same kind of Filter mod as the Canon A cameras do. Since the D810 uses the same Sensor as the K-1 modding a K-1 might be a more affordable way to go. The D810A goes for around $3800 for the body. At that price I can get a cooled FF astro camera that will be better. ---------- Post added 11-22-19 at 06:03 PM ---------- You can use it for normal shooting, but you'd have to have a custom white balance set for it. The older Canon 20DA and 60DA has the ability to set a custom white balance for terrestrial photography. I don't see why the Canon EOS RA wouldn't nor the Nikon D810A. Hell; I'm half tempted to pick up a used K-1 and have the modification done by Spencers including a cooling system and I'm still less than the EOS RA or D810A and I'd have Astrotracer to boot! I feel my credit card starting to feel warm. Maybe get the cooling system on the credit card. Thank you for sharing the video I didn't exactly get the same results in Bulb mode something to read up on tomorrow. ---------- Post added 12-06-2019 at 02:11 AM ---------- Originally posted by Kevin B123 The presenter is wearing a Pentax Forums tee shirt, must be a member here? I would hope so C R Kennedy the Producers are the Australian distributors of Pentax.

12-05-2019, 05:16 PM	#48
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Originally posted by dlh I found this discussion useful, as well: PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / Beautiful Photo-life \| RICOH IMAGING The capabilities of Pentax cameras themselves are really quite good for astrophotography, as outlined in this discussion. What would really improve the usability of Pentax cameras for astro would be some software: BackyardPentax (doesn't actually exist at this time). This would be comparable to BackyardEOS, which fully controls most Canon cameras in the same way that dedicated astrocameras are controlled by fullscale astroimaging software, such as Maxim DL. To see what BackyardEOS does for Canon cameras, see: BackyardEOS - O'Telescope If only Pentax cameras had such software, astro imaging using Pentax wouldn't be so manual. Intervalometers only give so much automation. My KP and K-1ii take nice, high-quality astro images, but Canon shooters get more done faster and easier than I can.

12-06-2019, 09:47 AM - 1 Like	#49
D FA 24 F2 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 28	Ricoh announced the re-production of several telescope products a few hours ago. It is reasonable to believe that the telescope product line will be restarted and is perfectly compatible with the current 135 and 645 series DLSR

12-06-2019, 09:54 AM	#50
Craigbob Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Antonio, TX Photos: Albums Posts: 521	Originally posted by D FA 24 F2 Ricoh announced the re-production of several telescope products a few hours ago. It is reasonable to believe that the telescope product line will be restarted and is perfectly compatible with the current 135 and 645 series DLSR Do you have a link to this news?

12-06-2019, 10:14 AM	#51
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	^ I found this press release from today: Ricoh Imaging are re-releasing two eyepieces for astronomical telescopes, smc Pentax XW30-R and smc Pentax XW40-R, as replacement for the discontinued smc Pentax XW30 and smc Pentax XW40. Product specifications are the same as those of the discontinued equipment. High-performance eyepiece "smc PENTAX XW" series two models re-released \| RICOH IMAGING

12-06-2019, 10:36 AM	#52
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	I have not delved into deep sky astro (yet) but my understanding is we just need a T mount adapter for our camera and then we can attach our camera to a telescope to take images? No need for eyepieces. Just the T mount adapter which you can buy from Pentax or others. So you can do it today, if you have a telescope and the adapter?

12-06-2019, 02:35 PM	#53
Craigbob Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Antonio, TX Photos: Albums Posts: 521	Originally posted by SirTomster I have not delved into deep sky astro (yet) but my understanding is we just need a T mount adapter for our camera and then we can attach our camera to a telescope to take images? No need for eyepieces. Just the T mount adapter which you can buy from Pentax or others. So you can do it today, if you have a telescope and the adapter? That's correct. A T-adapter (and either a 1.25 or 2" adapter tube and a camera and you can be imaging through a telescope. I do it frequently.